KNOLLYS. 497 ° During his absence on the continent Colonel Legge, lieutenant of the ordnance, commenced a suit in chancery against him to obtain possession of his house and ground, which he ]lad left in charge with a friend, and which was alleged to be the property of the king. But the law not favouring his majesty's pretensions, the colonel sent a party of soldiers, and took violent possession of the premises, which had cost Mr. Knollys upwards of seven hundred pounds. He had, also two hundred pounds lodged with the weaver's company, which was in the same manner given to the king, without the formality of the owner's consent. Much larger sums belonging to other persons shared the same fate. When a great monarch descends to such paltry and dishonourable methods of replenishing his empty coffers, he quits the dignity of his station, and becomes at once an object both of terror and contempt. Mr. Knollys, upon his return fromHolland, betook himself to his former employment of teaching school, by which he was enabled, through the blessing of God, to repair his losses, and to provide things honest and convenient for his family. For this service he was admirably qualified, being an excellent linguist, and having adopted an excellent method of instruc- tion. So that when the times would permit him to follow this employ, he never wanted sufficient encouragement; and many persons eminent for piety and learning were educated under him. While he was employed in the education of youth, he was by no means negligent of that work which was the great labour of his life : but he continued in the faithful discharge of the pastoral office to his gathered congregation, in various places, till his death ; at which time his meeting- house was in Broken-wharf, Thames-street. He also preached amorning lecture every Lord's day at Pinner's,-hall. The bigotry and malice of men, indeed, occasioned frequent interruptions in his work. By virtue of the conventicle act, commencing May 10, 1670, he wasapprehended at a meeting in George-yard, and committed by the lord mayor to the Compter, Bishopsgate,. But having favour in the eyes of the keeper, lie was permitted to preach to the prisoners. Not long after, at the sessions in the Old Bailey, he was set at liberty. The good man was no sooner delivered from these troubles than he was called to endure heavy bodily affliction ; and afterwards some domestic trials, first by the loss of his wife, who died April 13, 1671, and then by the death of his only son. Towards the close of life, this venerable servant of the vol.. III. 2 K
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=